Kamberg January 2017 – By Pam Kleiman
I enjoyed watching numerous White Storks around the district
White Stork
The first of the Common Moorhen chicks seen on the small dam on Connington farm
Common Moorhen
A little Dark-capped Yellow Warbler drying off after a bath
Long-crested Eagle. I have yet to discover where these birds nest.
Long-crested Eagle
IMG 7585 Great excitement as I drove out from the farm on the 10th. Sitting on the Escom wires were three Blue-cheeked Bee-eaters. This is a bird rarely seen in the KZN Midlands.
Blue-cheaked Bee-eater
A Spotted Flycatcher I saw purely by chance as it darted out of dense foliage to catch an insect
Spotted Flycatcher
A rather intense stare from a Cape Weaver
Cape Weaver
IMG 7962 This month I started seeing Amur Falcons around the area. Amazing to think that these small birds migrate all the way from northern China every year
Amur Falcon
IMG 7970 A male Southern Red Bishop showing off his beautiful Summer plumage
Southern Red Bishop (male)
A few butterflies in the garden
Small patches of the beautiful Hesperantha coccinea seen along the banks of a crystal clear stream.
Hesperantha coccinea
Hlatikulu Conservancy January 2017 – By Pam Kleiman
On my rounds recording the birds for SABAP2 I so enjoy being able to take photos of what I see in order to share them on this forum. I do hope you enjoy rambling with me!
Bar-throated Apalis, a species I only ever see in one spot along the road from Mooi River to Hlatikulu
Bar-throated Apalis
An unexpected find in a swampy area covered in tall grasses – Cuckoo Finch
Cuckoo Finch
A little bird that has coined the nickname “Bumble-bee bird” for obvious reasons. A male Yellow-crowned Bishop
Yellow-crowned Bishop (male)
I was rather surprised to find a pair of Ostriches along the road to the Crane sanctuary.
Ostrich (male and female)
Western Osprey another favourite species seen occasionally on our dams in Summer
Western Osprey
A short parade by a Red-necked Spurfowl on the road in front of my vehicle
Red-necked Spurfowl
A small group of young Cape Longclaws were fluffed-up against the wind on a high, grassy slope
Cape Longclaw
I don’t see too many mammals on my travels, but do see the occasional Dassie / Rock hyrax
Dassie / Rock Hyrax
Brunsvigia natalensis – a solitary plant at the side of the road
Brunsvigia natalensis
Brunsvigia natalensis
A summer flowering aloe just past it’s prime
Aloe
One of the few orchids I have seen this month. I think this is Satyrium longicauda
Satyrium longicauda
Satyrium longicauda
Vlei Orchid – ? Satyrium hallackii
Vlei Orchid – ? Satyrium hallackii
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